Matthew 28 “He Is Risen”

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)

Jesus had often predicted that He would rise from the dead, but the disciples did not understand it, and consequently did not expect it. But God would not leave His Son in a tomb, nor suffer Him to see corruption. He was not stolen away as the chief priests hired the soldiers to say He was; nor was He removed to another place, as Mary Magdalene first thought, when she found Him gone; but He had risen from the dead, by the power of His Father.

Therefore, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb expecting to anoint the body of Jesus, they were met by an angel of the LORD instead saying, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored.  

Just as it took the infallible truth of the scriptures to open the eyes of those who walked with Jesus then, so it may be with our loved ones today as well. With so much evil in our world, we need to keep praying that our Lord will bring His truth into their lives and open their understanding to His love and grace.

The Truth: Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And on the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19) 

Matthew 27 “Let Him Be Crucified”

Pilate said to them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let him be crucified." To which the governor replied, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out the more, saying, "Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22-23)

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the outstretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath.

The victim would continually try to push himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. Eventually, the pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours (if they broke your legs), to a number of days depending on an individual physical condition. Crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals, and was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die. Condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from it.

Jesus voluntarily died this death (refusing the medication v. 34) for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin through His atonement. But, this greatest gift ever given was not His end, for the best was yet to come in chapter 28. Hope to see you there.

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Matthew 26 “The Prayer of Jesus”

 "And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

In this prayer we are shown the two wills of Christ, the human and Divine. The human will seeking deliverance from torture by requesting, “if it be possible”, is there another way? While at the same time the divine will, ready to submit and comply with His impending death on the cross, “not as I will, but as You will.”

Three times that night Jesus prayed this prayer. Luke’s gospel records that Jesus was in such conflict of soul and body that, "his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground." Luke further records that, an angel was dispensed from heaven to strengthen and support the fainting human life of our savior, that He might drink the cup of indignation and death for us (Luke 22:43-44).

This prayer of Jesus is meant for our example to follow, when going through our own struggle of wills. May we learn to endure whatever God's will may be in our lives, whether easy or difficult in dispensation, and put His will above our own.

The Truth: “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things, which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”

Matthew 25 “Be Ready”

Here in chapter 25 Jesus finishes His Olivet Discourse with a piece of practical advise, Be Ready.

In light of the end times there are three things one must consider in relation to being ready: 1) personal salvation (vv.1-13), 2) responsible stewardship (vv. 14-30) and 3) practical servanthood (vv. 31-46).

If the rapture occurred tonight, would you be ready? Would you be found: 1) With His Spirit burning in your heart? 2) Making the most of the talents you have been given? And 3) Serving others? 

Jesus said, “Pray that you will be found worthy to be kept from the hour of tribulation” (Luke 21:36). In other words, some will not be ready, and they will go through that terrible time. Make no mistake, Jesus is coming again in all His glory, and all the holy angels with Him (v. 31). The only question is, "Will you be ready?"

The Truth: “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (2 Thessalonians 5:1-10)

Matther 24 "The End Of Days"

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (v.37)

OK. What were the days of Noah like? The Bible tells us that the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil (Genesis 6:5). Abnormal sexual practices abounded (Genesis 6:4), and that violence and corruption filled the earth (Genesis 6:11). Sound familiar?

Today, we are seeing the days of Noah virtually repeated by man. Violence, corruption, evil imaginations and abnormal sexual practices are abounding. Add to that, pestilences, famines and earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. Along with a society that calls good evil and evil good. Noah lived before the flood, and we before the fire. Noah spoke of a coming physical rain (to man's days), and we (the church) the coming reign of Christ (to end man's days).

Noah had been building his ark and preaching to his people for one hundred and twenty years, but they did not listen. They just kept living in sin, and each day was like the next - eating, drinking and marrying. Right up until the day Noah entered into the ark and it began to rain. So too many people today care nothing for their spiritual future, though they hear the message all around them: radio, TV, pod cast, churches, friends, neighbors, family. They only live for the moment with no regrets. After all, there's plenty of time to "catch up" with Jesus, right? Wrong!

In chapter 24 Jesus speaks of the end times as they relate to nations, Israel specifically, and the church. At the end of the chapter (vv. 42-51), Jesus instructs all of us to be faithful servants, to be watchful, wise, and warns us concerning the events of His return. And like those who were shut out of the Ark in Noah's day when it began to rain, so shall it be with those who have not headed the warning, and accepted God's Son before the coming of Jesus - in the twinkling of an eye.

Therefore, be His faithful servants, be watchful, be wise, and be warned, for the end of days draws near.

The Truth: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7) 

Matthew 23 “Playing the Hypocrite”

"Wow to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  (vv. 27-28)

These are words that cut to the heart, for we all are guilty of playing the hypocrite. A hypocrite is literally, “one who hides behind a mask.” There’s an old story of a man who told the pastor he didn’t go to church because there were so many hypocrites there. The pastor responded by saying, “Oh, don’t let that stop you. There’s always room for one more.”

While I’m sure you could find at least one in every church, genuine believers remember that they are first and foremost forgiven hypocrites themselves. There’s an old saying that, "going to church doesn’t make one a believer any more than going into a garage makes one a mechanic." What some people perceive as hypocrisy in the church is in fact the result of a mistaken assumption. Some people assume others are believers just because they get up on Sundays and go to a place called church. It’s just not so.

On another related note, authentic believers are also sinners, and they know it. The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). A hypocrite claims to be without fault in one area or another. An authentic believer on the other hand, freely admits to the fact that he or she is a sinner, and consistently seeks forgiveness from it.

If you would like to get rid of your mask and join in the family of authentic believers, Jesus is ready to forgive you and bring you into His family. Just stop pretending, admit your weaknesses, and come on home. (See the prayer to the right of this post)

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleans us for all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Matthew 22 “Jesus Questioned”

But the Pharisees, when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him saying, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" (v. 34-36)

Here in chapter 22 Jesus had been answering questions posed to Him by the Pharisees and the Sadducees designed to, "entangle Him in His own talk" (v. 15). In the beginning of this passage we find our Lord replying to a question of a certain lawyer, who thought for sure he could entrap Jesus into a theological corner of disgrace by asking him, "Which is the greatest commandment of the law?"

The question, was obviously asked in no friendly spirit. But, we have reason to be thankful however that it was asked at all, for it drew an answer full of precious instruction, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets" (vv. 37-40)

The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Lawyers, they all wanted to make religion complicated. And they certainly didn't like the idea of Jesus (the son of a carpenter), one who had no "formal training" in their eyes, winning the hearts of the people through His simple teachings. But Jesus was correct, the heart of the Law and the way to salvation is to love the LORD our God with all our hearts.

The Truth: "We love him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Matthew 21 “The Barren Fig Tree”

Now in the morning, as He (Jesus) returned to the city, He hungered. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves, and said unto it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” And immediately the fig tree withered away." (v.18-20)

Here we see that Jesus hungered. He went to the fig tree expecting fruit because it had leaves; but, finding no fruit, He sentenced it to perpetual barrenness. This cursing of the barren “fig-tree” represents the state of hypocrites in general; the state of the nation, and people of the Jews in particular. They were the “fig-tree” planted in Christ's way as a church, but like the tree they were covered in leaves but no fruit - a huge disappointment to our Lord Jesus.

We too must be careful not to be a disappointment, a hypocrite, or a false witness to Christ and to those around us. May God help us to be like the tree, "planted beside rivers of water” that bears fruit in its season, ready to give sustenance to all in need, and not like the barren fig tree.

Therefore, don’t let your roots become dry. Water them daily with His Word and fruit will abound from your life to others.

The Truth: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Matthew 20 “The Parable Of The Landowner”

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.” (v. 1)

This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the end of the nineteenth chapter and Peter's question as to how it should fare with those who, like himself, had left all for Christ.

Jesus’s teaching here is designed to show that while the disciples would be richly rewarded, a certain equity would still be observed towards later converts and workmen in His service who may not have labored as long. While some men may have come to Christ earlier in life, and served Him longer than others who have been recently converted, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Thus, every man ought to go forward in service to Him without stopping or staggering, and not curiously examining the doings of other men. The lesson is, watch out for jealousy and greed. Be more concerned with answering your calling, not your position or reward of others. 

The Truth: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Matthew 19 “What Do I Lack?”

 Now behold one came to Him and said, “Good master, what good thing shall I do to have eternal life?” (v. 16)

Here in chapter 19 we find Jesus counseling a rich young ruler. Throughout this young man's life he has tried to do the good thing, the right thing to his fellow man. And yet, he is conscious that there is a void in his life, and that there must be something more than just living a good life and being wealthy, to gain eternal life (v. 20). So he asked Jesus, "What do I lack?"

Jesus then answered his question by telling him to leave his wealth behind, to come and follow Him, and he would have treasure in heaven (v. 21). Now when the young rich man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had a great many possessions (v. 22). Then said Jesus turned unto his disciples and said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (v 24).

This response by Jesus has been misunderstood by many and was never intended to be a universal commandment. It was a statement meant for the rich young ruler only, to expose the one thing that was holding him back from eternal life, his wealth. Jesus was indicating that it is impossible to buy or work your way into heaven. No man by any good work can inherit eternal live. It is a gift of God, and it is only brought by a miracle of God working in our hearts and lives through His Spirit, and not bought with wealth or works.

Therefore, what is impossible with man, is possible with God (v. 26). And, like all men, he had a choice. So what did the rich young ruler lack? The desire to follow Jesus, for He is the way to eternal life, and there is no real life apart from Him.

The Truth: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

Matthew 18 “Become As A Child”

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (v.3)

The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus had already chosen one of them as greatest. Therefore, they wanted hear it from Him who among them would hold the highest position in the administration He would soon establish. His answer was very humbling.   

Jesus set a little child before His disciples (who were arguing who would be the greatest in the kingdom v.1), solemnly assuring them that unless they were converted and became like a little child pure in heart, they could not enter His kingdom.

In Mark’s gospel we are given some insight into this portion of scripture. Mark says (Mark 9:35) that Jesus, before he placed the little child in the midst of them, told them that, "if any man desires to be first, the same shall be last and the servant of all." That is, he shall be the most distinguished who is the most humble, and who is willing to be esteemed least of all.

Little children are (to a great extent), free from of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They are characteristically humble, innocent and teachable. Jesus is telling His disciples to take on those characteristics, to lay aside their ambitious views and their pride, and be willing to occupy their proper station as a servant. He is teaching them there is no room for rivalry, jealousy, ambition, worldliness, distrust and conceit. That they must turn away from such failings and “Become as little children.”

A good lesson for us all. 

The Truth: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Matthew 17 “Jesus Speaks Of His Death”

 And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill Him, and the third day He shall be raised again." And they were exceeding sorry. (vv. 22-23)

Here in our text, Jesus reminds His disciples about His future sufferings. He rarely told His disciples about His coming death without also telling of His coming resurrection. We know that the disciples didn’t really comprehend the glorious triumph of the resurrection, because they were "exceedingly sorrowful." 

I think if His disciples would have just listened closer to what Jesus was telling them (that He would raise from the dead in three days), they would not have been nearly so grieved. Their grief was a bitter grief such as non-believers, who have no hope beyond this life when they lose their loved ones. The disciples simply could not (at this point) conceive of life without their Savior being their in the flesh by their side.

Yet Jesus, though He had the power to call upon heaven to save Him from His future agony, was willing to accept what was to come, to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world - even though many would reject His deity and His resurrection. 

While none of us will ever face such a death, we will one day face it. And during that moment, or other difficult seasons in life, may we learn to endure the path we must walk, endure the pain that comes our way, and to be content with His will in our lives. For a New Heaven and a New Earth awaits those who believe on Him.

The Truth: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Matthew 16 “Whom Do You Say That I Am?”

Here in chapter 16 Jesus asks two questions of His disciples; 1) Whom do men say that I am? and 2) Whom do you say that I am? One could ask the first question of people today and get a similar variety of answers His disciples reported over 2000 years ago; a teacher, a prophet, a healer, even a good man.

However, Simon Peter answered the second question correctly when he responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). Typical of Peter, straight and to the point. Anything short of that would have been the wrong answer. 

Today the eternal question remains the same, who do you believe Jesus is? Is He a teacher? A prophet? A good man? Or, is He the Christ, the Son of the living God. Your answer will determine your eternal future.

During the Christmas season, a holiday set aside to recognize the Savior's birth, it exposes how many would answer these questions. As everywhere you go some will say, "Happy Holidays" but others will say “Merry CHRISTmas." 

As we have just begun a new year, do yourself an eternal favor and recognize the One we sing about during the Christmas season ; the "King of kings", the "LORD of lords", Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Truth: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

Matthew 15 “Matters Of The Heart”

Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (vv.16-20)

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is teaching on matters of the heart. While doing so He completely disregards some oral Jewish traditions, infuriating the Scribes and Pharisees who stand more on tradition than scripture. Jesus is teaching that, it is more important to wash your heart than your hands. Why? “Because the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The solution to defilement then is to cleans the heart not the hands. As King David wrote in the Psalms we should, "hide God’s word in our hearts, that we might not sin against Him” (Psalm 119:11). How is defilement avoided? By God’s Word, purifying our hearts, certainly not by ceremonially washing our hands.

May we be more concerned with what goes into our hearts and eventually comes out of our mouths, and stand on scripture rather than tradition.   

The Truth: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

Matthew 14 “Keep Your Eyes On Jesus”

Peter said, Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. And Jesus said, “Come." But when Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and he began to sink, and he cried, saying, Oh, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” (vv. 28-31)

Here in chapter 14 Jesus had just sent the multitudes of people away (who had followed Him out of the city) in order that He might spend some time in prayer by Himself. He had spent the day healing the sick, feeding the Five Thousand from five loaves and two fish, and encouraging/instructing His disciples. Being spent from the demands of the day, He was in need of strengthening His own Spirit through prayer to His father. Therefore, He sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat to cross the sea and told them He would meet them on the other side. 

Scripture next tells us that some time later, the boat was in the middle of the sea being tossed by the waves and that the wind was contrary (v.24). Then, in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea (v.25). This was somewhere between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. According to Mark (Mark 6:47-52), Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water after they had exhausted themselves rowing against the waves and windy storm. No wonder they thought he was a ghost and cried out in fear (v.26), they were probably delirious. 

Therefore, Jesus immediately spoke to them these comforting words, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." This statement caused Peter to reply, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And we know what happened from there.

The lesson for all of us here is to keep our eyes upon Jesus and not on our circumstances. When we start looking around at our problems we can begin to sink. Every one of us faces daily situations that could sink us, if we allow ourselves to get caught up into our circumstances. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord, the Master over the wind and the waves of our daily lives. Then, like Peter, who when looking at Jesus was able to walk on water, so shall we conquer our our daily trials in like manner.

Yes we can all become distracted by the wind and waves around us. But, even in our moments of "little faith” God is there, ready to comfort and help His children - Even when we are doubting Him.

The Truth: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)